LGF

more options

  

Advertisement

  

Link address:
Link title:
Description: 
Remaining:

Lots More Warbots On the Way

Fri, May 30, 2008 at 1:13:29 pm PDT

Thousands more warbots are being readied to hit the ground in Iraq.

In December, after all the lawsuits, the private eyes and the backroom deals, iRobot finally wrestled away the biggest ground-robotics contract in military history from its former employee and his secret partner. This “unmanned surge” was worth up to $286 million and 3,000 machines. And it didn’t look like it would be topped any time soon.

But appearances can be deceiving in the world of military robots. Turns out, there’s been a second unmanned surge. And yesterday, iRobot’s rival, Foster-Miller, announced that it had won the contract to supply it.

The five-year deal is worth up to $400 million. And it will cover thousands of Talon bomb-handling robots and spare parts — maybe between 2,000 and 4,000 robots, F-M executive Bob Quinn tells Xconomy.

132 comments

  • Comments are open and unmoderated, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Little Green Footballs.
  • Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their views by Little Green Footballs.
  • Posts that contain phone numbers, street addresses, email addresses or other personal information will also be deleted, as will posts that consist only of a variation on the word, "First!"
  • Comments that advocate violence will be cause for immediate banning with no appeal.
  • REMEMBER: posting comments at LGF is a privilege, not a right. Abuse that privilege, and your account will be blocked.

Hide comments | Jump to bottom

1 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:14:03 pm reply quote 4

NO OIL FOR OIL!

2 Honorary Yooper  5/30/08 1:14:56 pm reply quote 5

How many more until we have enough for the Trade Federation?

3 sattv4u2  5/30/08 1:15:06 pm reply quote 1

Does Will Smith star in this one too ?

4 Sharmuta  5/30/08 1:16:07 pm reply quote 12

God Bless America ingenuity and technology.

5 Honorary Yooper  5/30/08 1:16:22 pm reply quote 0

Something more like this?

6 JammieWearingFool  5/30/08 1:17:10 pm reply quote 6

Gaffe Man promises to bring the robots home safely.

7 lawhawk  5/30/08 1:17:11 pm reply quote 0

re: #2 Honorary Yooper

I'd rather bank on the cloners.

8 experiencedtraveller  5/30/08 1:17:51 pm reply quote 1

Foster-Miler owned by QinetiQ

Buy Buy Buy

9 jorline  5/30/08 1:18:22 pm reply quote 1

How many more robots have to be destroyed before we pull them out of Iraq?

Do they come in Pink?

10 Cap'n DOC  5/30/08 1:18:32 pm reply quote 0

Are those pre-surge or post surge robotic numbers?

/An aside to Mr. Roboto...

11 experiencedtraveller  5/30/08 1:18:53 pm reply quote 0

re: #4 Sharmuta

God Bless America ingenuity and technology.

Even when they are owned by the Brits...

12 Bill Amos  5/30/08 1:19:09 pm reply quote 0

Man I feel so honored Charles has two stories I placed up on this site in a row !

Thanks for making this such a great site Charles and for sharing credit with others.

Being a lizard means never having to watch your back because all us lizards have 360 degree eyesight.

13 mama winger  5/30/08 1:19:16 pm reply quote 3

The more that we can use technology, perhaps the less often we will have to put our soldiers in jeopardy. Wonderful news.

14 jorline  5/30/08 1:19:55 pm reply quote 1

Danger Will Robinson, Danger

15 Occasional Reader  5/30/08 1:19:57 pm reply quote 0

Jihadists: He'll find you. That's what he does! That's ALL he does!

16 Occasional Reader  5/30/08 1:20:45 pm reply quote 8

Roomba is back. And he's pissed.

17 rabidsquirrel  5/30/08 1:21:04 pm reply quote 3

Why don't we just send the pusher and shover robots?

18 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:21:35 pm reply quote 1

re: #17 rabidsquirrel

Why don't we just send the pusher and shover robots?

Damn Geneva Convention again

19 jcm  5/30/08 1:21:46 pm reply quote 7

We spend time and energy to send robots to war and not men.

The jidahist recruit for Splodydopes kids with Downs Syndrome.

I swear if I hear any more "moral equivalence" arguments it going take a lot of self control not to knock teeth down throats.

20 NJDhockeyfan  5/30/08 1:21:51 pm reply quote 0
21 docremulac  5/30/08 1:22:08 pm reply quote 0
22 NJDhockeyfan  5/30/08 1:22:26 pm reply quote 0
23 zmdavid  5/30/08 1:22:32 pm reply quote 0

How many war robots is Denver buying to deal with the Recreate '68 protests?

The ACLU wants to know.

24 EC Marm  5/30/08 1:22:58 pm reply quote 0

"I'm sorry Diyaa Udeen, I'm afraid I can't do that..."

25 Sharmuta  5/30/08 1:23:37 pm reply quote 0

re: #11 experiencedtraveller

Says Foster-Miller is based in Massachusetts.

26 jamgarr  5/30/08 1:23:43 pm reply quote 0

re: #24 EC Marm

"I'm sorry Diyaa Udeen, I'm afraid I can't do that..."

What? - open the pod bay door?

27 goddessoftheclassroom  5/30/08 1:24:44 pm reply quote 0

re: #16 Occasional Reader

Roomba is back. And he's pissed.

ROTFL!

28 Sifty  5/30/08 1:25:02 pm reply quote 0

Not quite the 30ft tall Mechwarrior kind I was hoping to see step on Sadr's fat ass, but a good solid start. Baby steps. Baby steps.

When all soldiers are robots, will the Code Skank harpies still call them baby-killers?

Bush lied, hydralics died!

29 Bill Amos  5/30/08 1:25:03 pm reply quote 0
How many war robots is Denver buying to deal with the Recreate '68 protests?

The ACLU wants to know.

The ACLU simply wants to know if Denver is going to use AMM (anti Moonbat muntions)

These weapons cause rational and critical thinking which is a threat to insane moonbats everywhere.

30 Ward Cleaver  5/30/08 1:25:14 pm reply quote 0

"Secret Partner"? Dr. Evil?

31 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:25:37 pm reply quote 0

re: #23 zmdavid

How many war robots is Denver buying to deal with the Recreate '68 protests?

The ACLU wants to know.

Perhaps we can send these 2 to Denver?

32 alegrias  5/30/08 1:25:42 pm reply quote 6

To all of you who work in fields that require human ingenuity to combat 7th century medievality, God bless and thank you for your service.

And to the mostly youngsters serving in the combat zone, seeing the 7th century medievality up close & personal, God speed & protect you.

33 jorline  5/30/08 1:26:11 pm reply quote 4

IMHO the robots should be made in the likeness of Porky the Pig. That should freak-out a few jihadist

34 Ward Cleaver  5/30/08 1:26:17 pm reply quote 0

re: #16 Occasional Reader

Roomba is back. And he's pissed.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Instead of being a floor sweeper, he'll be a street sweeper.

35 experiencedtraveller  5/30/08 1:27:13 pm reply quote 0

re: #25 Sharmuta

Headquarted in USA. Check the ownership...

In September 2004 QinetiQ acquired the U.S. defence companies Westar and Foster-Miller (maker of the Talon robot).

36 Bill Amos  5/30/08 1:27:13 pm reply quote 0

BTW to moonbats every where I wish a hearty "Aydee Fic" to them.

Those that read about that horse know what I mean.

37 Cygnus  5/30/08 1:27:15 pm reply quote 2

So does mean that we have to recall the badgers now?

38 Fasternu426  5/30/08 1:27:31 pm reply quote 0

I can't wait until they get the T-2000 online and in production!

39 jcm  5/30/08 1:27:44 pm reply quote 0

As long as the control network isn't named SkyNet.

40 Sifty  5/30/08 1:27:53 pm reply quote 0

Recreate '68 needs a whole Chapter of Space Marines to go postal on their asses.


/geek off

41 maddogg  5/30/08 1:27:58 pm reply quote 0

re: #4 Sharmuta

God Bless America ingenuity and technology.

American ingenuity, Chinese labor.

42 rusty_armor  5/30/08 1:28:31 pm reply quote 0

It is a nefarious plot by that E V I L Dick Cheney and Halliburton. Everybody knows that ...

43 EC Marm  5/30/08 1:29:13 pm reply quote 4

And when the robots come home from combat maybe Obama will let them stay in his attic for six months...

44 Tigger2005  5/30/08 1:29:46 pm reply quote 0

I want our soldiers wearing Starship Trooper suits like from the book.

45 Sharmuta  5/30/08 1:32:18 pm reply quote 0

re: #35 experiencedtraveller

OK- well I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that American ingenuity and technology are driving this bot, not the parent company across the pond.

46 Cygnus  5/30/08 1:32:58 pm reply quote 2

re: #33 jorline

IMHO the robots should be made in the likeness of Porky the Pig. That should freak-out a few jihadist

Flying Pigs could give air support.

47 Cygnus  5/30/08 1:33:41 pm reply quote 0

re: #43 EC Marm

And when the robots come home from combat maybe Obama will let them stay in his attic for six months...

Only the Love Mechas.

48 jorline  5/30/08 1:34:05 pm reply quote 1

A quick solution to the WOT

Create 72 virgin robots for each jihadist so they'll quit blowing themselves up along with innocent people. They can hang out in their cave all day, just give them an ample supply of spare parts and a lot of lube-oil...LOL

49 Dianna  5/30/08 1:34:55 pm reply quote 0

re: #44 Tigger2005

If they do, it would make up for my age and sex, and I could have a good time, all while fighting jihadis.

I like it.

50 Wm T Sherman  5/30/08 1:34:58 pm reply quote 0

Any armed robots in use?

51 jorline  5/30/08 1:36:13 pm reply quote 0

re: #46 Cygnus

Flying Pigs could give air support.

LOL...check out my new solution in #48.

52 DesertSage  5/30/08 1:37:45 pm reply quote 0

It looks like the surge is working.

53 nikis-knight  5/30/08 1:38:17 pm reply quote 5

You know the problem with Al Queda's Robots?

No Surge protector!

54 Walter E. Wallis  5/30/08 1:38:25 pm reply quote 0

I can't wait for the first JAG lawyer to try and court martial a warbot.

55 amphibian  5/30/08 1:38:41 pm reply quote 0

re: #12 Bill Amos

Being a lizard means never having to watch your back because all us lizards have 360 degree eyesight.

And those neat tongues for cleaning the eyeballs. Or are some of you not geckos? I am only an amphibian after all, and easily confused.

56 rabidsquirrel  5/30/08 1:38:54 pm reply quote 0

re: #50 Wm T Sherman

Yes

57 Pyrocles  5/30/08 1:38:55 pm reply quote 0

Or nanosuits like in Crysis!

re: #44 Tigger2005

58 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:39:20 pm reply quote 0

re: #50 Wm T Sherman

Any armed robots in use?

The Talon bomb disposal bots are dual-use and can be easily upgraded to SWORDS, but use has been suspended due to them not behaving as expected

60 amphibian  5/30/08 1:39:37 pm reply quote 1

re: #17 rabidsquirrel

Why don't we just send the pusher and shover robots?

Do not trust the pusher and shover robots.

61 Killgore Trout  5/30/08 1:40:05 pm reply quote 0

Hooray for robots!

62 DesertSage  5/30/08 1:41:45 pm reply quote 1

I still think that Barack H. Obama is a robot.

63 amphibian  5/30/08 1:41:55 pm reply quote 0

re: #32 alegrias

To all of you who work in fields that require human ingenuity to combat 7th century medievality, God bless and thank you for your service.

And to the mostly youngsters serving in the combat zone, seeing the 7th century medievality up close & personal, God speed & protect you.

That's kind of a knee-jerk up-tick.

64 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 1:41:59 pm reply quote 1

Hello Atari, see ya, rat bastards. I love Pong.
/Old guy

65 sattv4u2  5/30/08 1:42:24 pm reply quote 0

Lets just hope they don't program the robots to be Islamophobic, or CAIR will really really be angry!

66 Killgore Trout  5/30/08 1:42:32 pm reply quote 1

re: #59 Roentgen

see also : Hell Yes

67 tfc3rid  5/30/08 1:43:20 pm reply quote 0

re: #21 docremulac

Off topic:

68 Sharmuta  5/30/08 1:43:31 pm reply quote 0

re: #66 Killgore Trout

see also : Hell Yes

You read my mind!

69 OldLineTexan  5/30/08 1:44:09 pm reply quote 4

Cry "Havoc," and let slip the 'bots of war

70 EC Marm  5/30/08 1:44:17 pm reply quote 1
iRobot finally wrestled away the biggest ground-robotics contract in military history from its former employee and his secret partner.


Somebody please assure me that Bill Gates is not involved in this in any way.
"What do you mean it stopped? Blue screen of what? CTRL -ALT what?"

71 Kosh's Shadow  5/30/08 1:44:42 pm reply quote 0

re: #48 jorline

A quick solution to the WOT

Create 72 virgin robots for each jihadist so they'll quit blowing themselves up along with innocent people. They can hang out in their cave all day, just give them an ample supply of spare parts and a lot of lube-oil...LOL

Model XQJ-37 pan sexual nuclear powered roto-plookers.
(Obscure Zappa reference)

72 Spiritualized  5/30/08 1:45:23 pm reply quote 0

re: #38 Fasternu426

I can't wait until they get the T-2000 online and in production!

In light of the fact that I'm such a progressive (and for no other reason), I'll wait for the upgraded model:

The Summer Glau Terminatrix.

73 debutaunt  5/30/08 1:45:27 pm reply quote 0

re: #12 Bill Amos

It all makes me smile every day!

74 Killgore Trout  5/30/08 1:45:27 pm reply quote 0

re: #68 Sharmuta

I really like Beck.

75 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 1:45:45 pm reply quote 0

re: #65 sattv4u2

Can CAIR sue robots?

76 rabidsquirrel  5/30/08 1:46:10 pm reply quote 0

re: #72 Spiritualized

In light of the fact that I'm such a progressive (and for no other reason), I'll wait for the upgraded model:

The

77 Ward Cleaver  5/30/08 1:46:14 pm reply quote 0
78 redstateredneck  5/30/08 1:47:14 pm reply quote 1

re: #55 amphibian

And those neat tongues for cleaning the eyeballs. Or are some of you not geckos? I am only an amphibian after all, and easily confused.


I'm an anole.
(click my avatar)

79 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 1:47:29 pm reply quote 2

Not a good idea. I was just attacked by my microwave. Bastard wouldn't give up the burrito.

80 experiencedtraveller  5/30/08 1:47:45 pm reply quote 0

re: #45 Sharmuta

In this case I believe you are probably correct about the engineering and technology being local made.

So what is the difference between Americans in port offices working under corporate ownership in Dubai and Americans building robots with corporate ownership in the UK?

81 nikis-knight  5/30/08 1:47:53 pm reply quote 0

re: #19 jcm

We spend time and energy to send robots to war and not men.

The jidahist recruit for Splodydopes kids with Downs Syndrome.

I swear if I hear any more "moral equivalence" arguments it going take a lot of self control not to knock teeth down throats.

Well, of course the Downs Syndrome woman with remote detonation in crowded civilian areas is just the poor man's precision guided robot. You don't understand oppression, man!
/////

82 yochanan  5/30/08 1:47:54 pm reply quote 2

re: #34 Ward Cleaver

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Instead of being a floor sweeper, he'll be a street sweeper.

ROOMBA AKBAR!

83 Killgore Trout  5/30/08 1:48:42 pm reply quote 0

re: #77 Ward Cleaver

Another favorite!

84 debutaunt  5/30/08 1:48:47 pm reply quote 0

re: #52 DesertSage

It looks like the surge is working.

I heard that Iran has been helping us out with it.

85 Sharmuta  5/30/08 1:48:57 pm reply quote 0

re: #74 Killgore Trout

I really like Beck.

Me too- and that album in particular.

86 Cap'n DOC  5/30/08 1:49:10 pm reply quote 0

re: #84 debutaunt

LOL.

87 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:49:12 pm reply quote 0

re: #72 Spiritualized

In light of the fact that I'm such a progressive (and for no other reason), I'll wait for the upgraded model:

The

88 Desert Dog  5/30/08 1:49:17 pm reply quote 1

re: #5 Honorary Yooper

Something more like this?

More like this.

89 Dianna  5/30/08 1:49:31 pm reply quote 0

re: #74 Killgore Trout

Taste is very much an individual matter, I know, but I can't believe anyone actually likes listening to that.

90 Ward Cleaver  5/30/08 1:49:34 pm reply quote 0

re: #78 redstateredneck

I'm an anole.
(click my avatar)

Showing your dewlap.

/i used to keep two as pets

/and a mediterranean gecko, too

91 Ward Cleaver  5/30/08 1:50:14 pm reply quote 0

re: #83 Killgore Trout

Another favorite!

One of my favorite YouTube videos.

92 LeftJustAintRight  5/30/08 1:50:19 pm reply quote 1

On my looong trip today I had a thought(it hurt too)
Obama has pretty much punked Hillary
Even the MSM has dropped her like a bad date
She has burned a lot of bridges
Could this be the end of the Clintons ?
Obama Hussein has done us all a favor if she is gone
The downfall is Obama Hussein has a shot at POTUS

93 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 1:50:38 pm reply quote 0

re: #84 debutaunt

Scorpion and the Frog. (Or Toad)

94 Dianna  5/30/08 1:50:47 pm reply quote 0

re: #79 Cannadian Club Akbar

And it beeped frantically, calling for help, as you wrestled with the door?

95 Ward Cleaver  5/30/08 1:51:22 pm reply quote 0

re: #67 tfc3rid

No big deal...

Of course if it DID happen....

What movie did they steal that from? Morons.

96 Honorary Yooper  5/30/08 1:51:23 pm reply quote 0

re: #21 docremulac

Off topic:

97 Roentgen  5/30/08 1:51:27 pm reply quote 0

re: #71 Kosh's Shadow

Model XQJ-37 pan sexual nuclear powered roto-plookers.
(Obscure Zappa reference)


Yes, yes!

98 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:52:03 pm reply quote 1

re: #88 Desert Dog

More like

99 alegrias  5/30/08 1:52:28 pm reply quote 0

re: #84 debutaunt

I heard that Iran has been helping us out with it.

* * *
Other way around--Jimmy Carter's helping out Iran.

100 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 1:53:58 pm reply quote 0

re: #94 Dianna

No, the burrito was hot.
/shame

101 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  5/30/08 1:55:14 pm reply quote 0

re: #100 Cannadian Club Akbar

No, the burrito was hot.
/shame

A burrito in the microwave came out hot? CALL A LAWYER!

102 Dad O' Blondes  5/30/08 1:55:25 pm reply quote 0

HA!

Those jihadi security force "graduation films" never envisioned American Warbots running after them.

They were too busy dressing up like shrubberies, running around fires, and doing hula hoop tricks. Wait'll they run into some of these bad boyz.

.

103 rabidsquirrel  5/30/08 1:56:05 pm reply quote 0

So when we do actually have armed robots (other than UCAVs) racking up enemy body counts, will the left be obligated to adopt a euphamism other than "killbots" for our human soldiers?

104 jorline  5/30/08 1:56:08 pm reply quote 2

Female robots...remember Cherry 2000?

[Link: www.youtube.com...]

105 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 1:57:21 pm reply quote 0

re: #101 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

A burrito in the microwave came out hot? CALL A LAWYER!

It isn't good. It was a cigarette burrito.

106 RadicalRon  5/30/08 1:57:57 pm reply quote 0
Kosling Conspiracy Theory No.____: Overwhelming proof that the Bushchimphitler-Pajamashadeen-Jooooish Conspiracy is going to privatize the military with robots. And this wouldn't be happening if eeeeeevil Ronald Reagan hadn't hallucinated about Star Wars, you know?.

And . . . and . . . and me and Hunter and Kestrel, are, you know, gonna do something cuz this is all the fault of Charles and the Lizards and stuff.

I'd love to see some video of these things in action. It shouldn't be too long before they're engineered to pack heat.

Now, the big question is: What's our folks up to in this regard? Whatever it is, the Moonbats will flame whenever it's rolled out.

107 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 2:01:33 pm reply quote 7

I GOT IT! Robot soldiers against trial lawyers!
Sweet.

108 tfc3rid  5/30/08 2:01:40 pm reply quote 0

re: #96 Honorary Yooper

They can't even get their structural engineering straight. If the steel framed buildings in the background have that much damage, there is no way the unreinforced Washington Momument and Capitol Dome should be intact.

That's why they need to study their engineering here in the States...

109 Dad O' Blondes  5/30/08 2:02:16 pm reply quote 0

re: #21 docremulac

Off topic:

110 cygnus  5/30/08 2:03:38 pm reply quote 0

re: #98 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I'm thinking one of these

There we go.

111 Genosaurer  5/30/08 2:03:39 pm reply quote 1

I, for one, welcome our new mechanical overlords.

112 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 2:05:09 pm reply quote 0

re: #109 Dad O' Blondes

Right. And the NYT will say it was all Bush's fault.

He failed to protect us.
He failed to find Saddm's nukes.
He failed to negotiate with Iran.
He failed to find anything useful even with illegal wiretapping.
His Gitmo policies fostered hate.
His adventure in Iraq made the world more dangerous.
He failed to capture Osama!

Hell, HE FAILED TO FIX THE KITCHEN SINK !

It's all Bush's fault !
.

He failed to win 50% of the vote.
Wait, that was Bubba.

113 Cannadian Club Akbar  5/30/08 2:06:44 pm reply quote 0

BIG OIL!
BIG OIL!

/drinking a 5 dollar latte

114 HDrepub  5/30/08 2:07:21 pm reply quote 2

re: #62 DesertSage

I still think that Barack H. Obama is a robot.

I think he is a Jimmy Carter clone, but they screwed up the DNA somehow.

115 Da_Beerfreak  5/30/08 2:09:44 pm reply quote 0

re: #69 OldLineTexan

Cry "Havoc," and let slip the 'bots of war

Somewhere R. Heinlein is smiling.

// {;-)™

116 cygnus  5/30/08 2:11:58 pm reply quote 1

It's another Cylon plot!

117 RadicalRon  5/30/08 2:29:54 pm reply quote 0

Since medals are important for morale, how about something like an R2D2 Chipset of Valor?

118 GOP Goalie  5/30/08 2:41:26 pm reply quote 0

re: #29 Bill Amos

The ACLU simply wants to know if Denver is going to use AMM (anti Moonbat muntions)

you mean soap?

119 stuiec  5/30/08 2:53:47 pm reply quote 2

I wonder how much utility there would be in small "high-speed turtle" robots skeetering along the main roads of Iraq, equipped with video cameras and simply looking for people at the roadside planting IEDs. If they patrolled frequently enough, there might not be sufficient windows of opportunity for the bad guys to plant the bombs without being detected -- and of course, anyone messing with a robot could be assumed hostile, and a patrol sent to "talk" to them.

Workable, or useless?

120 stuiec  5/30/08 2:58:24 pm reply quote 0

re: #106 RadicalRon

I'd love to see some video of these things in action. It shouldn't be too long before they're engineered to pack heat.

Now, the big question is: What's our folks up to in this regard? Whatever it is, the Moonbats will flame whenever it's rolled out.

Try this for some futuristic robotic battlefield fun! Robotic bugs set to invade battlefield.

121 Dar ul Harb  5/30/08 3:35:07 pm reply quote 0

Before too long in this war, haji will be fighting the Terminator!

122 big L  5/30/08 3:41:26 pm reply quote 0

"R.U.R"---redux.

123 LEGION  5/30/08 4:33:35 pm reply quote 0

I say we send in the Killer Tomatoes- ATTACK! [Link: www.youtube.com...]

124 Mr Pancakes  5/30/08 7:35:23 pm reply quote 0

That's cool,
The company I work for (Amitron Corp) built the prototype circuit board for the Foster-Miller robot project about 9 months ago...... it must have worked!

125 Student of Objectivism  5/30/08 9:47:10 pm reply quote 0

a good carpet bombing is cheaper than robots

126 Colonel Panik  5/30/08 10:43:56 pm reply quote 0

re: #119 stuiec

I wonder how much utility there would be in small "high-speed turtle" robots skeetering along the main roads of Iraq, equipped with video cameras and simply looking for people at the roadside planting IEDs. If they patrolled frequently enough, there might not be sufficient windows of opportunity for the bad guys to plant the bombs without being detected -- and of course, anyone messing with a robot could be assumed hostile, and a patrol sent to "talk" to them.

Workable, or useless?

And if you could get the "turtle" to talk to the "hawk" (predator drone) you could really get somethin' going on.

You'd only need a human in the loop for target confirmation.

127 Colonel Panik  5/30/08 10:51:57 pm reply quote 0

The only downside to military robots is that too many Silicon Valley programmer types are moonbats.

As they move toward arming robots I hope they really do a good job investigating the background of people who program these things.

128 Dotcoman  5/31/08 8:17:39 am reply quote 0

re: #16 Occasional Reader

Roomba is back. And he's pissed.

Oh no! Don't tell me vacuum cleaner bots want to come out of the closet and marry each other too?

129 Dotcoman  5/31/08 8:24:56 am reply quote 0

re: #121 Dar ul Harb

Before too long in this war, haji will be fighting the Terminator!

Why? He can't even fight California Liberalism.

130 Dotcoman  5/31/08 8:28:35 am reply quote 0

re: #84 debutaunt

I heard that Iran has been helping us out with it.

The only thing Nancy Pelosi ever said that was in any way positive about Iraq and it just had to be that.

131 Dotcoman  5/31/08 8:57:34 am reply quote 0

re: #31 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Perhaps we can send these 2 to Denver?

What? And stop them from having a melt down?
Let's not get in the way of Lefty lunacy recreating '68 now.